Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Two Complete Games, Goodloe Perfect
BEREA, Ky. – Maryville welcomed the start of USA South action with two wins against Berea on a windy Wednesday afternoon.
The Scots took game one 6-0 and then claimed an 8-1 victory in the second contest. The win gave the team a much-needed boost entering league play.
"We came ready to compete today." Maryville head coach Leah Kelley said.
Game 1: Maryville 6, Berea 0
The first game was a pitcher's duel through four innings, with neither team able to bring any runs home. A combined three hits were all the teams could tally over those segments.
"Offensively we started out slow, but I'm proud of the early adjustments we made," said Kelley. "We found a way to put the ball in play to score runs and that's what our focus was this week."
In the fifth frame, Brecca Williams hit a single to get things started for the Scots. Kaliyah Hensic was hit by a pitch before an Amaya Goodloe single loaded the bases. Jenica Brown was walked next to bring the game's first run home.
Micayla Clark hit a two RBI single during the next MC at-bat and Sara Koonce kept the scoring party going with an RBI double that followed.
The Mountaineers never scored a run through the rest of the opening game. Maryville brought two more home in the top of the seventh thanks to an Emily Hill double.
Megan Ackerman pitched her 11th complete game of the year in the win. She shut out the Berea hitters and struck out eight batters. The two hits are the fewest the sophomore has allowed in a complete game for the pitcher this season.
Clark was 3-for-4 for the Scots with two RBI followed by Koonce who went 2-for-3 at the plate with one RBI. Both Koonce and HIll had doubles for the visiting team. Six different Maryville baserunners scored the team's six runs.
Game 2: Maryville 8, Berea 1
Game two had a slow start much like the first, but that did not last long.
The Scots scored two runs in the top of the third to take an early lead. A Goodloe single and an error at first on a sacrifice attempt placed two Maryville runners on base. Those runners moved to scoring position on a subsequent wild pitch. A Clark groundout and a Koonce double scored one run each.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Mountaineers tacked on a run after putting up three consecutive singles.
The one-run deficit for the home team did not last long, as the Scots had an explosive sixth inning. Doubles from Ava Whitmire and Brown, as well as a Goodloe single, brought four runs across home for Maryville. All but one of those runs were earned.
Berea brought no more runs home, but Maryville added two more. In the top of the seventh, a wild pitch brought Annie McCormick in followed by a Williams sacrifice fly driving another home.
Goodloe was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and two runs scored. Kaitlin Woodruff was next with a 3-for-4 performance and two runs. The team combined for 10 hits.
Kennedy Henry earned her first win of the year in just her second start of the season. The pitcher struck out seven and allowed only one run in seven innings of work. The complete game is the first for the junior.
"Both pitchers executed and our defense backed them up," Kelley said. "I'm proud of the team today and it's a great start to the conference regular season."
Maryville moves to 12-11 overall and 2-0 in league play after the Wednesday twin bill. The Scots host their first home USA South doubleheader of 2022 on Saturday when LaGrange comes to town. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m.
"Seasons will always have ups and downs but it's all about learning early from mistakes and peaking at the right time," Kelley concluded.
